The Fruits of the FMA Grandmasters' Labor in Congress

• Posted by Jacinto R. Rocales on April 4, 2011 at 2:13am

THE FRUITS OF THE FMA GRANDMASTERS’ LABOR

Last March 22, 2011, the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
joint with the Senate Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports
conducted a public hearing on the status on the implementation of Republic
Act No. 9850 (Arnis Law) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. This
event was participated by various stakeholders and grandmasters in the art
of arnis/kali/escrima.

As a result of the gigantic and proactive lobbying conducted by the various stakeholders and
grandmasters in the art of arnis here in the Philippines, the Philippine Sports Commission
(PSC) has released its Timeline and Action Plan for the drafting of the Implementing Rules
and Regulations (IRR) of the Arnis Law and its
propagation.

Herewith are the GOOD NEWS!!!

For the month of April 2011, the Philippine Sports

Commission (PSC) will host a series of collaboration
meetings with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), National
Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and various Arnis Organizations in the country
for the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) which shall oversee the drafting of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Arnis Law. The TWG shall establish a
mechanism whereby there will be a sufficient and equitable representation of the various
arnis/kali/escrima stakeholders to proactively participate in the drafting of the Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR) that will spell the details for the propagation of
arnis/kali/escrima.

For the month of May 2011, in recognition to

Arnis/Kali/Escrima as the national sports of our
country, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)
will start the formulation of the design of its logo,
which shall include and highlight the inscription of
arnis and kali blades in its logo in oder to
mainstream the art of arnis/kali/escrima in the
sports activities of the youth. Furthermore, the
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will also
incorporate the art of arnis/kali/escrima in its Pinoy
Games and its Batang Pinoy Programs.

Moreover, on May 2011, the Philippine Sports Commission will formulate the “Short Term
and Medium Term Arnis Sports Development Plan for 2012-2016”. This document is
essential and strategic in the propagation of arnis from a medium and long term perspective.
Many of our Grandmasters have long lobbied for the crafting of this important and pivotal
document.
Finally, still on the month of May 2011, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in
consultation with the various stakeholders in arnis/kali/escrima in the country, will formulate
the guidelines for the hosting of the “Southeast ASEAN Games Level Arnis
Competition”. The PSC intends to implement this guideline before the year 2013. Indeed,
arnis will now be a global event competition. This progress has long been envisioned and
dreamed of by many of our Arnis Grandmasters.

At this juncture, I would like to give honor and credit to the various grandmasters in our
country who proactively lobbied in Congress for the passage of the Arnis Law and the
drafting of these important and pivotal documents namely: Francisco Aycocho – Founder of
Aycocho Martial Arts, Henry Burbano – FMA Coordinator, Paulo Motita II – Chairman of
IMAFP Sports Arnis, Jerson Tortal Jr. of Dikiti Tersia Seradas, Efren Apresto – Founder of
FAMAFF/Mindanao, Ferdinand Gayoles of Tapado, Ricardo F. Sarte - President of the
NARAPHIL, Rene Tongson of Philippine Classical Arnis International, Benson Fernandez of
Negros Occidental, GM Ibarra Lopez of Golden Kamagong, Rodel Dagooc of Arnis
Association International, Inc. (AAII), Mike Vasquez of Tapado, Reynaldo Postrado of Liping
Maharlika, Samuel “Bambit” Dulay of International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF),
Jeremias Dela Cruz of Philippine Council Arnis – Arnis Cruzada Philippines, Ricardo Saballe
of IBAMOKKA, Jun I. Matagay – Founder of Arku-Tai-Pa International, Bert Labaniego of
Escrima Labaniego, Reynan Canete of WEKAF Doce Pares, Professor Armando Soteco –
School of Arnis Professional, Deputy Grandmaster Patty Caballero of Lightning Scientific
Arnis International (LSAI), Nico Palma – Secretary General of Lightning Scientific Arnis
International (LSAI), Lemio Vallero of Vallero Arnis Club, Master Jerry Evangelisan of
Mangangayam Kali Arnis Eskrima, Hadji Tejada of the Department of Education - External
Affairs, Master Joseph Tolleno, Atty. Salvador Demaisip – President of International Modern
Arnis Federation (IMAF), Pepito Robas of Otso Teros, Ryan Gialogo of Kali Arnis Martial Arts
Organization (KAMAO), Jose Dion Diaz of PIGSSAI, Peachie Saguin of Kalis Ilustrisiom and
many other countless masters who gave their contributions in order to make this dream come
to its realization.

More good news to come in the coming months!!!

MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!!!

Jessie R. Rocales